A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai seeking N120 million in damages from four federal agencies.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji held that the suit, which named the Department of State Services (DSS), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney General of the Federation as respondents, lacked merit.
El-Rufai had accused the agencies of violating his rights. He asked the court to nullify invitation letters from the ICPC and EFCC and to award him damages. The court found that the invitations, which asked him to appear and respond to allegations under investigation, met constitutional requirements and did not infringe his fundamental rights. It ruled that the agencies acted within their statutory mandates.
The judge also rejected El-Rufai’s claim that a DSS attempt to arrest him at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport violated his rights. Justice Oriji held that the DSS has a statutory duty to maintain a watchlist and arrest persons of interest, and that no warrant was required for such an arrest. On the seizure of El-Rufai’s international passport by the DSS, the court said the action was lawful and carried out under the agency’s powers. It noted that El-Rufai failed to prove the seizure was continuous, permanent or unlawful.
The court awarded costs of N200,000 against El-Rufai in favour of each of the four respondents.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna from 2015 to 2023 and earlier served as minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has a separate N1 billion fundamental rights suit pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja. In that case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, he is challenging the validity of a search warrant used by the ICPC to search his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19. He contends the warrant was defective and that the search violated his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy. The respondents in that suit have asked the court to dismiss it.
A story of courage, wonder, and the transformative power of self-belief; perfect for readers aged 10+ who love adventure. To place order: +234 806 130 3237 | +234 803 582 0870 OR Tap the link to grab a copy:https://www.zeekapublish.com/product/the-magical-life-of-anna
